Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Haiwaan Divides First-Day Viewers After Akshay-Saif Reunion in Theatres
Haiwaan is a dark thriller starring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan.
It arrived in cinemas on 11 September after the actors’ reunion following Tashan.
The movie is remade from the Malayalam film Oppam.
Its story involves a visually impaired caretaker who is blamed for a judge’s murder.
He then tries to protect the judge’s hidden daughter from danger.
Some viewers called the film gripping and praised the acting and climax.
Other viewers thought it was slow, stretched and predictable.
A trade analyst liked it and gave it 3.5 stars, but audience reactions remained sharply divided.
Haiwaan released on 11 September, reuniting Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan after their 2008 film Tashan.
The 2-hour-45-minute UA 16+ dark action-crime thriller is a Hindi remake of Priyadarshan’s Malayalam film Oppam.
The story follows visually impaired caretaker Shyam, who is framed for retired judge Pradhan’s murder and tries to protect Pradhan’s hidden daughter Nandini.
First-day viewers praised the performances, action, climax, cinematography and background score, while others criticized the slow pace, stretched screenplay and predictable story.
A tracker reported ₹0.69 crore in India net earnings and ₹0.81 crore cumulative gross at 1:30 PM, while trade analyst Sumit Kadel gave the film 3.5 stars.
- Who
- Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan lead the film, alongside Saiyami Kher, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Asrani, Boman Irani, Rajpal Yadav, Sharib Hashmi and Mohanlal.
- What
- Haiwaan is a Hindi psychological action-crime thriller and remake of the Malayalam film Oppam.
- When
- The film released on 11 September; the reported earnings update was recorded at 1:30 PM on opening day.
- Where
- It was released in theatres across several Indian cities, with 2,870 reported shows.
- Why
- The film centers on Shyam’s efforts to escape police pursuit and protect Nandini after he is framed for Pradhan’s murder.
Positive Response
Critical Response
Performances
Positive Response
Supporters praised Akshay Kumar’s psychologically challenging role and said Saif Ali Khan delivered an impressive performance, with one viewer calling it among his finest.
Critical Response
Critics questioned Akshay Kumar’s choice of a remake and said the characters and screenplay did not create enough emotional investment.
Thriller execution
Positive Response
Positive reactions highlighted the opening, interval, police-station sequence, cat-and-mouse chases, pre-climax and climax as gripping or entertaining.
Critical Response
Negative reactions described the film as slow, stretched and tiring, with unnecessary scenes and a story that repeatedly failed to build suspense.
Remake and overall impact
Positive Response
Supporters said the film’s climax differs from Oppam, creates fresh impact and leads to a fulfilling ending with a surprise cameo.
Critical Response
Detractors called Haiwaan a lazy remake that looks fine but lacks soul, and some labeled it a disappointment or a disaster on arrival.
- Lead cast
- Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan
- Release date
- 11 September
- Runtime
- 2 hours 45 minutes
- Certification
- UA 16+ from the CBFC
- Source film
- Priyadarshan’s 2016 Malayalam film Oppam
- Opening-day update
- ₹0.69 crore India net and ₹0.81 crore cumulative gross at 1:30 PM, according to the reported tracker update
- Trade rating
- 3.5 stars from film trade analyst Sumit Kadel
